What to put in party bags
Party bags, gift bags, loot bags, show bags. So many names for these little things. I feel like “what to put in party bags” is I question I hear at least once a month.
I thought a post on this topic would help a few mums out! Given that I love organizing a party, especially a kids party, this is really something I think about twice a year and give a whole lot more attention to than I would like to admit. We’re talking hours of googling and pintresting just to put together an ideal party bag. It drives my husband crazy.
Party packets, party bags, party favours, gift bags, whatever you call it, they seem to cause a whole lot of fuss.
What to put in party bags – other than sweets
If you’ve worked out a great party bag idea or even better a whole party bag spread, please share the love and let us know! You can either drop a comment below or head over to the AllThingsMomSydney Facebook page.
Now I know it’s conventional to give out sweets but I’m not going to include the category of sweets (lollies) here. Those are easier enough to locate. These ideas are based on sweets alternatives. I also haven’t added a toothbrush and toothpaste to the list, although that’s what my dentist gives all the kids each year 🙂 love her! (Happy to pass out her details too).
What do you make a party bag out of…
There are so many options for the actual bags. My go to are the see-through cellophane bags or the themed party bags. But it all depends on the theme. If you’ve got a disney or pixar type theme chances are they have “loot bags” that will match your theme perfectly. I’ve used these twice before.
You can use a brown paper bag with ribbon or clips. Write or draw on the bags for extra detail.
There are the cute tube ones on the top left that you can buy from a lot of party stores to make up yourself. I have never done that, I’m not good with the paper folding type stuff.
It all depends on the age of the party attendees and the party theme. You could even just use a take-away type box or cupcake box.
What to put in party bags
Edible Ideas
- A packet of jelly for them to make at home.
- Rice crackers.
- A slice of the birthday cake.
- Dried fruit.
- Gingerbread man.
- Pretzels.
- A cupcake they decorate at the party. I’m doing this for my son’s party this year and may even do it for my daughter’s party next year.
- Homemade biscuits.
- Macaroons – depending on the age of course!
- Little packets of coloured or funny popcorn.
- A little tub of ice cream or gelato. You would need to include a spoon or a paddle and it would have to be an “eat on the way home” type of thing.
Personally, I’ve found that when I have left over packets of chips, cookies and waters I just add them into the party bags. Mainly for the families I know, otherwise it gets a bit weird when I am forcing bottled water on people.
Wearable Items
- Hair bands or hair clips.
- Masks, bought or made at the party.
- Snap bangles.
- Glo in the dark bracelets.
- A pair of socks.
- T-shirts with an iron on transfer, painted name or logo relevant to the party.
- Gloves. Either fancy dress princess gloves or just regular kids gloves.
- Nail polish. Not for us though, I’m trying to distract my daughter from it. It’s not working though. I reckon I’ve got a few more months before I give in.
What to put in party bags – Things to play with
- Bubbles.
- Those sticky men that stick to windows and fall down the windows.
- Split up a pack of hot wheels.
- Hand ball or a bouncy ball.
- Play doh.
- Mini slinkies.
- Cards.
- Water beads.
- Ribbon wands.
- Beanie boos. But this could get very expensive.
- Finger puppets.
- A pot of slime.
- Spinning tops.
- Marbles.
- For little ones – bath toys.
- Blow up beach ball.
- Hula hoops.
- Musical instruments. The cheap ones like triangles, castanets and maracas.
- Mini nerf guns.
- Face paint.
- Yo-yos.
- Colouring in sheets printed off line.
- Skipping ropes.
If this type of post is something you are interested in then you should definitely check out my other posts on birthday parties. I had a whole series dedicated to parties and party planning. It’s not that I love it, its that it just makes my children so happy and I love doing it for them!
Stationery
- Stickers
- Colouring-in books.
- Mini calculators.
- Notepads.
- Colour Pens.
- Pencils with erasers on top.
- Painting with water books.
- Plaster painting.
- Pencil cases.
- Paint set.
- Mini blackboard and chalk.
- Stamps.
What to put in party bags – The Random Things
- Pots with seeds. Cress (not water cress) grows really really quickly!
- Piggy banks. How cute!!
- Kits they kids can work through at home – paper aeroplane, charm making.
- Torches.
- Succulents
- Those little face clothes that are in a tiny square but open up with you put them in the bath.
- A key chain.
- A reading book.
- Drink bottle.
- Whirly Birds.
- Tape measures. This may just be my kids but they love measuring things.
- A cheap bath bomb.
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Something completely different
A complete alternative to party bags is a lucky dip. Wrap up a number of more expensive inexpensive gifts (however much you would spend on one party bag) and let them choose a single item. I think
I was going to do this for my son’s birthday this year but have decided to give them the things we are making in the party to take home.
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